20 Things You Should Know About Asbestos Defense Attorney

An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral

An asbestos defense lawyer can protect the financial security of those who have been injured by exposure to this toxic mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs, funeral and burial costs, lost quality of life, as well as pain and suffering.

Our attorneys are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a national, regional and local scale. We are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects of asbestos cases.

New York Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that can cause numerous serious medical conditions, such as mesothelioma. A New York asbestos attorney (Find Out More) is experienced in dealing with lawsuits that seek financial compensation for those who have suffered from asbestos exposure and their families. These cases can be extremely complex and it is crucial to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm on your side.

New York has a long history of asbestos litigation and many residents have been exposed to this hazardous substance. In recent years there are more lawsuits filed against asbestos producers from the past than before. These cases result from the recognition of a connection between asbestos and diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers that asbestos posed, but failed to warn the employees and the public.

New York City is especially susceptible to diseases caused by asbestos lawyers due to its old structures and construction sites. Brooklyn Navy Yard is a notoriously hazardous area that continues to affect the surrounding community.

Many workers were exposed to asbestos at work. However, some people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after experiencing an exposure secondarily to the harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposure workers who had their husbands' work clothes and came in contact with asbestos dust regularly.

The mesothelioma lawsuit is costly for defendants, particularly when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to a study, more than 3,600 lawsuits have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to increase further. This kind of litigation is usually supported by asbestos law firms that promote on television during the day and encourage victims to file claims with the promise of large settlements.

The defendants may be able mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by asserting that their policy periods expire or they are only accountable for a small percentage of the total amount of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to distribute the liability if the alleged exposure is of and outside the insurance policies.

Asbestos-related Diseases

A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop due to exposure to the harmful mineral. The most serious condition is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other asbestos-related illnesses include asbestosis and lung cancer. Pleural plaques and pleural effusion are also asbestos-related.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal condition is caused by asbestos fibers which are found in the lung. They then cause irritation to the linings of the ribcage (the the pleura) as well as the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. The inhalation of these small fibers can result in scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis and occasionally, the development of thickened patches on the pleura referred to as plaques of pleura or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura known as diffused fibrisis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis can reduce lung capacity as measured by breathing test. They can also cause pain and discomfort in breathing, however they are not the cause of mesothelioma or cancer.

The signs of asbestos-related illness typically do not manifest until decades after the initial exposure. This is because it can take between 20 to 50 years for the inhalation of asbestos-containing fibers to damage the lungs. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions include workers who handled, laundered and removed asbestos-containing materials from the workplace, as well as spouses and children of those who were exposed to asbestos.

Other asbestos-related diseases, in addition to mesothelioma include laryngeal cancer and lung cancer and peritoneal, ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The most fatal form of mesothelioma is called ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than most other types of mesothelioma because it develops within the linings of reproductive organs. Symptoms can be similar to other diseases.

Many companies employed asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was dangerous. If they didn't remove asbestos from their products, thousands of people were exposed. Now, those exposed have the right to claim financial compensation. Many of the asbestos-related manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy. The victims can now seek compensation from the trust funds created by bankruptcy courts.

Asbestos Litigation in New York

For decades, asbestos companies put profits above the security of their employees and consumers, manufacturing hazardous products, without warning of the risks. They are now confronting the consequences of their negligence. Victims of asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete settlement.

Belluck & Fox is dedicated to helping families and individuals receive the justice they deserve. With more than 25 years of experience, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and seek the maximum amount of compensation for our clients.

Many states have established asbestos courts with specialization, where claims can be filed more efficiently. In addition, judges have established specific procedures for evaluating and resolving such cases.

New York, a state which has its own asbestos court (known as NYCAL) is one of them. As asbestos victims continue to seek compensation from solvent asbestos defendants who have declared bankruptcy the number of cases that have come through this court has been steadily increasing. To ensure that the justice system does not get overwhelmed, the New York Supreme Court has created an extra judicial panel to oversee NYCAL.

A panel of six Supreme Court judges will review every case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to take it up with it. Judges will also assess the merits of each claim to determine how much a plaintiff should be awarded.

The panel is currently reviewing more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to issue its final ruling by the end of this year.

New York asbestos lawsuits can be complex and can involve several defendants. The lawyers at Belluck & Fox have extensive experience in the litigation of these complicated matters. They are knowledgeable of the asbestos courts in New York, including their rules, regulations and policies and other jurisdictions in which they have handled multi-district litigation.

The firm also has extensive experience as National Coordinating Counsel, representing clients in complex, multidistrict litigation. In this role, lawyers develop strategies, manage regional and local counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordinating judges, and special masters of litigation from different jurisdictions.

Representation of Plaintiffs

A Tulsa asbestos lawyer will determine what strategy is most effective to defend the client in a personal injury claim involving asbestos. The Bowles Rice Asbestos Team counsels suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and premises owners on matters involving claims of mesothelioma and lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The firm works with clients to develop internal programs to deal with potential liability and safety concerns.

Bowles Rice In addition to its asbestos practice in the national level and multi-state asbestos litigation, serves as national Coordinating counsel. In this capacity the firm designs litigation strategies, manages local and regional counsel, and achieves consistent and cost-effective defense that is in sync with client objectives. It also plays an important role in the administration and management of asbestos dockets as well as negotiations with plaintiffs' lawyers and in coordinating discovery for its clients.

The firm's lawyers have experience in defending clients against mesothelioma claims and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos defense lawyers are acquainted with complex research and technology involved in these cases, as in addition to unique legal issues that arise when defending businesses before federal and state courts across the United States.

Catherine has defended numerous manufacturers in asbestos and products liability personal injury cases, representing them as the lead counsel in consolidated trials that involved multiple plaintiffs. She has extensive experience litigating asbestos-related lawsuits before federal and state courts as well as various Supreme Court and appellate courts.

While at Brobeck, Vogel worked on asbestos cases, including those of respondents of the Asbestos Claims Facility in Northern California. The case files contained SEAR forms (Short Encapsulated Evaluative Reports), which contained confidential information about claimants, such as medical reports, work history and a list of asbestos products that the plaintiff worked with or around. Vogel required access to a password to access the files. Then, she could go through any SEAR forms provided by her current employer.

In addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience in addition to its extensive trial and appellate experience, the Bowles Rice Asbestos Team is well-known throughout the country for its ability to negotiate settlements on behalf of its clients. In this capacity, the firm collaborates closely with the lawyers of plaintiffs in the development and execution of settlement agreements. It also has a vast experience in defending companies against appeals.